Ul'lanna watched Yamada in wonder, as he completed his drills. The way he effortlessly swung a hulking piece of metal, left her enamoured. Jacara noticed her expression and quickly approached Yamada. He caught him off guard, wrapping his arm around Yamada. "Let's spar." He whispered. "Why are you whispering?" Yamada whispered back, looking around confused. "I want you to make me look good. I'll give you whatever you want." Jacara offered, with a smile. "Like what?" Jacara rolled his eyes. "I don't know, ask for something." He said annoyed. "I want to become stronger. Do you have a magic that does that?" Jacara sighed. Does he seriously not want anything else? Gold? Women? Fame? "Well?" Yamada asked. "Listen just throw one duel, and I'll owe you. Anything you want."
Yamada hummed in thought. "Anything I want?" "Yes, yes, anything you want." Jacara said hastily, glancing over at Ul'lanna, who inspected her new weapon. "Just one duel? Or one point?" Jacara pulled Yamada in tightly. "Listen, just give me a win." He growled. "That won't impress me." Ul'lanna said. The two of them perked up and glanced back at her. She looked up with a smile. "Did you forget that I'm an Elf? My different ears aren't just for show." She said standing up. Jacara looked at her slack jawed. "I...uhhh..." He stammered, going red. "I'll duel you, Yamada." She said bowing and taking a fight stance. She held the katana in front of her, gripping it tightly, and widening her stance.
"Are you crazy? Are you not seeing the damn thing his swinging around?" Jacara exclaimed. "I won't hold back." Yamada said slinging Harbinger over his shoulder. "Please don't." She said, her voice brimming with excitement. Yamada smiled, and took the same fighting stance. Harbinger was more than double the length of her Katana. Jacara stepped back. "If you hurt her, I'll kill you." He hissed. "Are you strong enough to protect her?" Yamada asked solemnly. The question frazzled Jacara, and he stumbled back shaking his head confused. Was Yamada testing him?
The other squires stopped their drills to watch Ul'lanna and Yamada's duel. For once, they were rooting for him, but only for him to kill her. She dashed in going for a thrust attack. Yamada dropped Harbinger, on the spine of her blade. Her eyes went wide, with shock and she let out a yelp feeling the sudden weight change, and fell face first into the dirt. The squires and mages cheered, as Yamada picked his weapon up. "Damn it Yamada! What did I say? I said don't-" Ul'lanna shot up to her feet, her face scuffed and bleeding. She charged in again, going for an upward slash. Yamada planted Harbinger into the ground, blocking her attack. The adamantine katana rattled in her hands, shaking her to her core. She grit her teeth letting out a yelp.
Miranda made her way to the second ring, hearing cheering to her confusion. "We have proof war is coming, and they cheer?" She thought shaking her head. She held a basket, with her hair braided tightly. The ringing of metal dropping, followed by a cheer caught her attention. Miranda watched as each of Ul'lanna's attacks were blocked and parried easily. She frowned, clenching her fists, and her jaw. 'Relax your grip, it's adamantine. Let it do the work.' She thought. Yamada shattered his armour, and planted Harbinger into the ground. Everyone paused, stunned and curious to see, what would happen next. "You won't beat me like that." He said, showing the rare emotion of annoyance. "I just need to get use to using-" "Attack me again." He growled.
Ul'lanna swung the katana with a wide arching slash. Yamada held his bare hand out, and stopped the blade. The others watched on astonished. Ul'lanna felt a push against her blade, but could see it had not yet made contact. While others gazed in awe at Yamada. Miranda watched on with heartache. Yamada was not some prodigy, or genius, but simply an angry and hurt boy. A boy who dedicated his life to obtaining strength, because he was hurt. "Everyone go back to your training!" She ordered, alarming all of them. She tossed the basket to Jacara. "Here, tell your father to never visit me again." She said angrily marching towards Ul'lanna. Jacara peeked inside to an azure cloak.
She glared at Ul'lanna, looking at her all scrapes, bruises and cuts. Ul'lanna leaned into Yamada. "Uhhh, who is she?" Miranda shook her head, grabbing Ul'lanna's hand. She let out a yelp, Miranda's strength caught her off guard. She sucked on her teeth, inspecting the bruised and red palms. "What is she doing?" Ul'lanna asked, trying to pull away. "She's going to help you." Yamada said, with a smile. Miranda flicked Ul'lanna on the forehead. She let out a yelp, pouting and holding her head. "Why are you gripping an adamantine weapon so tightly?" She asked resting her hand on her hips. Ul'lanna looked at her flustered. "I...well...aren't you meant to?" She asked confused. "Why don't you show them instead?" Gwyneth asked. "I will! Yamada attack me." She declared, grabbing the katana.
Yamada looked over to Gwyneth for approval. "You're never gonna kill Begron, if you need approv-" Yamada let out a grunt, swinging Harbinger in a wide arc. Ul'lanna ducked for cover, as Miranda leaned back, letting the wind blow her hair out of place. Yamada continued his attack, swinging wildly. "Keep watching." Gwyneth said, folding her arms. Ul'lanna looked up to Miranda. She adopted a wide base, as if she was using a cutlass or rapier. Miranda's counter attacks were agile and swift, but apathetic.
And yet every strike Miranda landed, left a mark against his armour. Ul'lanna watched in astonishment, as Yamada was forced to retreat. Miranda pressed the attack, with a series of thrust attacks. Yamada let out a grunt of frustration, transforming further and swatted away her assault, with a wide swing. Miranda did not retreat, letting the katana twirl over her hand, and adopted a reverse grip. She continued her assault now with a flurry of spinning slashes, like a vicious tornado. Sparks flew off his armour, as each strike connected. Yamada roared leaping back, and raised Harbinger into a defensive stance. Miranda huffed, her braid undone, and wore an exhilarated smile. She took a step forward, seeing her fringe and stopped quickly tossing the katana aside.
"Damn it Gwyneth!" She snapped, quickly fixing her hair. She marched towards the snickering Gwyneth. "That's not funny. I told you, I'm only a tailor." Ul'lanna's jaw hung, and quivered. She pointed to Miranda filled with shock. "Are...are you Miranda Gainsborough?" She asked. Miranda's eyes darted away for a second. "No." Ul'lanna let out a loud gasp. "You're the sword dancer!" Miranda leapt onto Ul'lanna covering her mouth. "SHHH! Not so loud!" Yamada and Jacara cocked their heads to the side. "Sword dancer? But she's a tailor?" They said in unison. "Actually she to be my second in command." Gwyneth said. Miranda snapped her head back. "Don't you even dare." She scowled. "But a story for another time." Gwyneth said with a smile. "For now finish your training. And then I'll tell you all about the famed Sword Dancer, who mastered over one thousand-" Miranda leapt Gwyneth. The two of them took off running like children playing tag.
"But she's a tailor?" They both said confused. "Do you two seriously, know nothing about the war?" Ul'lanna asked annoyed. The two of them were silent before answering. "Well, tell us what you know." Yamada said. "And we'll fact check it." Jacara finished his sentence with a smug leer. The two of them nodded at each other folding their arms in sync. Ul'lanna rolled her eyes and sighed. "Alright, how did Encara Cagim, earn the title; Thousand Hand Draken?" She asked waiting for the obvious reply. The two of them were silent. Yamada slowly turned to Jacara. "Is that his title?" Yamada asked, unsure if Ul'lanna had spoken a lie. Jacara was frozen with a vacant stare. "Ok...an easier question then. What did Urkse Rotta do, to earn the title, Death's Artist?"
Jacara let out a long whiny eek, still frozen. "He painted a skeleton?" Yamada answered. Ul'lanna threw her hands up into the air. "You two don't know anything!" She exclaimed. "Where's your library?" She asked. "What's the point in learning about it anyway?" Jacara asked. "Yeah, it won't make me any stronger." Yamada said. "I'm sure one of the history books, has tactics on fighting Begron." Yamada's armour grew and his wings beat. "Let's go." He said excitedly. "There's no reason for me to go-" Yamada pulled Jacara in close, and then quickly turned back to Ul'lanna.
"Can you block your ears?" He asked with a smile. She reluctantly obliged, as she did owe him her life. "What are you doing?" Jacara whispered. "Well, she's terrified for Abaddon, and he looks normal." "Right, Cecil would terrify her...right into my arms." "Exactly." Yamada said. "Wait, why are you helping me now?" Jacara asked. "You forgot, how to get to the library didn't you?" Yamada nodded. Jacara let out a sigh. The two of them broke off their huddle and turned to Ul'lanna. "Okay, let's go to the library, we can compare how history was written." Jacara said. Yamada threw Harbinger onto his back and picked up Ul'lanna and Jacara by the waist. "Yamada, what are you-" With a single beat of his wings, the three of them shot into the sky. Their screams were drowned out in his roar.
They crashed down in front of the library creating a cloud of dust. Yamada stood up first, laughing and dusting himself off. "Sorry, still getting use to the wings." Jacara and Ul'lanna shot up. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" They shouted. Yamada shrugged. "What? It was faster this way." Ul'lanna and Jacara growled, pushing past him. Ul'lanna stormed in, stopping to stare at the rows of books in wonder. "Cecil, where's the history section?" Jacara called out. Cecil slithered out from behind a bookcase. Ul'lanna cried out, throwing Jacara out of the way, and ran into Yamada's broad chest. "Ah Forsaken One you have returned. Are you perhaps interested in another rousing-" "History section." Yamada snapped.
"I see we are dropping the coy games." He said walking away. "Very well follow me." He sighed, gesturing with his fingers. "Why didn't you tell me he looked like that?" She whispered. Yamada shrugged. "Didn't think it was a big deal." He said pushing her away. Jacara threw his hands up in confusion. "Is there something wrong with Elven women?" He thought, watching Ul'lanna cling onto Yamada. Cecil ushered them to, two towering book cases with several large rows of thick tomes. "Anything in particular that would peak your interest, Forsaken one?" He asked clasping his hands behind his back. "Which one is about the war?" Yamada asked. Cecil cocked an eyebrow, with all his other eyes fixating onto him. "This section of the entire library, is dedicated to the war. Pick one and find out."
"Which one has the book about Miran-" "Which one is about Hendrik?" Yamada asked cutting Ul'lanna off. "Ahhh the eldest Xenarith brother. What would you like to know about him?" Cecil asked, running his fingers along the spines. 'You'll never be him. She'll never love you like him.' The voice hissed in Yamada's head. He clutched his temple, with only his head transformed. Ul'lanna jumped away, as Yamada fought off the transformation. "Shut up!" He yelled to their concern and confusion. "Well then, guess I'll leave you to your reading." He said quickly ducking away. Yamada reached for Harbinger and took a deep breath. His head reverting back to normal. "What...what was that?" Ul'lanna asked. "It's nothing." Yamada said grabbing a tome.
Miranda finally caught Gwyneth, pinning her to the wall, of the upper Keep. "Damn it, you know I'm just a tailor." She said annoyed. "Miri, you and I both know that's not true." Gwyneth said with a warm and sincere smile. "Bah!" Miranda threw her hands into the air frustrated. "I go twenty years without touching a damn weapon. This boy is here for a month, and I've used it twice. Why does he bring out the worst in me?" She vented with a huff. Gwyneth shook her head. "He brings out the best in us." She said resting her hand on Miranda's shoulder. She scoffed, shrugging her off. "Geez, if I knew I could get the old Gwyneth back, by giving you dick. I would have tried harder to find you a suitor." She said jabbing Gwyneth in the ribs. "Eh, none of them would be as good." The two of them shared a laugh.
The two of them looked out over the Citadel, watching the sun starting to set. "It's really happening again, isn't it?" Miranda asked, with a hint of fear in her voice. "Yeah...and we're not going to win." Gwyneth said solemnly. Miranda let out a grim chuckle. "I suppose we got a great twenty years." "You don't have to fight-" Miranda shoved Gwyneth. "Oh shut up. The stoic act didn't work on me then, and it won't work on me now." She said shaking her head. "I'll get my stuff out of storage." Miranda walked off before stopping. "Gwyneth." She said without turning around. "Let him know." Gwyneth knew the answer, but she asked anyway, in the hopes Miranda would lie to her. "Tell him-" Miranda glared back. "He needs to know, that he might never see you again." Gwyneth bowed her head, sorrow filling her body. "That...that' it's okay to move on." She dolefully finished Miranda's sentence. Miranda nodded. "And that his heart doesn't belong to you." She said walking away. Gwyneth had forgotten that, Miranda's skills with the sword, also applied to her words.
Ul'lanna and Jacara sat beside Yamada, as he opened the tome. On the first page was an immaculate and vivid painting of Hendrik. The image was a taller Yamada, with silver hair, and a broad smile. However the painting confused Ul'lanna. It was not a stoic image that invoked a Knight or regal. The painting was of Hendrik smiling ear to ear, with his two brothers under his arms. His title read, The Truest Knight, but the thing that caught Yamada's eyes, was a small hand written paragraph underneath. He recognized the handwriting as Gwyneth's. The bottom of the page was crinkled. "Tears." Yamada whispered, running his finger along it. 'To the greatest and only man, that I'll love. I will hold you in my heart forever. I will cherish all the words we spoke together, all the memories, and all your love. My only regret in life, is that I didn't meet you sooner.'
"She'll never be yours." The voice hissed. "You're nothing but a lucky lookalike." Yamada scrunched his face, clenching his fists. Ul'lanna and Jacara took a step back watching him, fight off his transformation. "You read her words. She'll never-" "I SAID SHUT UP!" He roared. He took deep breaths trying to calm himself. A blinding flash of light engulfed them. Ul'lanna knelt down as soon, as she realised who had appeared. Encara appeared with Gwyneth beside him. She froze seeing the book in front of them. "Yamada, why do you have that-" Yamada's armour appeared, he glared back at Gwyneth with his piercing amber eyes. "You never once lov-" Encara branded him with a curse symbol. "Sleep." Yamada crashed face first into the ground.
He glared at Ul'lanna and Jacara. "Go train." He ordered with a grave tone. The two of them rushed out like startled cats. Gwyneth knelt down beside Yamada. "Can you make him...forget?" She asked fighting back the tears coming out. "That won't help him. Tell him the truth, and he will heal. He's a strong boy." He said solemnly. "I don't want him to hurt anymore." She said holding his head. Encara knelt down grabbing Yamada's hand, and shoved it near her face. "Look at his scars." He growled, showing the scars inside his palms. "All he knows is pain. He revelled in every absurd training you gave him. Because the pain will make him stronger." Gwyneth held Yamada tightly, pulling him closer. "Tell him, or I will." Gywneth pulled Yamada away from Encara. "I'll tell him....please leave us." She said dropping her head.
Encara sucked on his teeth and disappeared. "If you can hear me Yamada. Never go into the darkness. Find the light, and you'll be safe." She whispered. Yamada awoke in the abyss. This time he felt scales on his skin and not water. He thrashed violently, letting out a terrified scream, unable to free himself. 'Find the light.' He heard. Yamada scanned the area, seeing the serpent coiled around him, each of the heads wearing a grin. "Don't fight us." They hissed. For the first time Yamada, swam to the surface. He gasped for air, quickly scurrying onto the sandy coast line. Yamada stood up and realized where he was.
This was the edge of the Oeo, but the water and island was different. The water was an abyss, the island was destroyed and engulfed in flames. The light he saw was not the sun, but of a crimson Ryū in the sky. "Are you strong enough?" A familiar voice growled. Yamada turned around to see a copy of himself, standing before him. Wearing his armour and wielding Harbinger. "Who..." The copy lunged forward, ramming Harbinger through his heart. "Weak." The copy growled, ripping the weapon free. Yamada stumbled back falling to his knees. "What...what is this place..." He weakly asked. The eight headed serpent burst forth from the water. "Your soul." They hissed. Yamada shot awake in a cold sweat.